[stickman]

Dave,
I read your post here about the murders in Fayette. I have a connection in that two of the people killed were my friends. As much as I hate what Devan Darnel Moore did to my friends there, he did not deserve to be, nor was he being mistreated at anytime during his arrest process. From all accounts I received, there was no indication from Devan Moore that there was going to be any trouble at all until the shooting started. Fact is, both the arresting officers knew this kid and his father, and didn't consider him to be dangerous. Any law enforcement officer can relate to arresting someone they know and feel comfortable with. Hell, any one of the law enforcement officers in this county could testify to that! Use me for example. In the three times I have been arrested in this county, not one of the arresting officers felt the need to handcuff me. Had I any inclination to do the same thing Devan Moore did, I had perfect opportunity to do so even before I got to the booking room. The only difference in me and Devan Moore is the fact that I do not fool with drugs in any shape, form, or fashion unless prescribed to me by a physician. Race was not a factor in this crime either. Devan is black, Cpl. Crump is black, and all three people Devan killed were above that. Those two officers and the dispatcher were performing their duties professionally, courteously, and heroically when Devan Moore took their lives. It is a shame that all three of them died that day. They were fine people and will truly be missed.

As I watch the news reports on TV, I see that Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Department is taking great pains to protect this young man from harm. I hope they continue to protect him and keep him safe from harm. I want him to face a jury of 12 people of the State of Alabama. I want him to be found guilty of capital murder of Ofc. Arnold Strickland, Cpl. James Crump, and Dispatcher Leslie "Ace" Mealer. I want to be able to sit in that courtroom, hear all the testimony, see all the evidence, and hear Devan Moore's account and reasons for killing those three people. I want that 12 member jury to be able to convict him of three counts of capital murder with a clear conscience and beyond a shadow of a doubt in their minds. I want to see him sentenced to die either in the electric chair or by lethal injection for what he has done. I want to see that death order carried out. I feel that capital punishment is the only way Devan Darnel Moore can pay for what he did on the morning of Saturday, June 07, 2003 at 5:30 am in the Fayette Police Department. No, it will not bring those three men back to life, but it is the only way I feel he can pay the debt he owes to us. Life in prison will not do this man any good. He has already chosen his path and no amount of rehabilitation can do him any good. He has taken from us a precious resource. He took away three loyal, honest, faithful, hardworking public servants who gave their lives protecting the people of Fayette and the State of Alabama.

Stickman